7 Time Management Tipsfor Busy Teachers!

Presented by Debbie Inglis, Square Two Development Ltd, December 2012

www.squaretwo.co.uk

#1: What's important and urgent?

Split your tasks list into:

important & urgent

important and not urgent

… and complete them in that order!

Anything else (non-important) complete at your discretion when you have spare time!

For example, things you have little control over …

E.g. You're relying on a member of staff to provide information for a policy you're writing, or assessment data which you're collating … and they go off sick just before your deadline

These things happen, especially at particularly busy / pressurised times. Aim to give deadlines to others which are earlier than your own deadlines, where possible.

#2: Factor in problems

#3: Know your peak energy times

Aim to do the trickier, more mentally or physically taxing things when you're at your most energetic.

First thing in the morning works for me!

Some people are better later in the day / evening.

Some lucky ones have more than one energy peak a day!!

Ask questions to get clarity on tasks you're asked to do by others, rather than waste time later re-doing something

When giving tasks to others, save time at the start by giving clear instructions and asking questions to ensure they have clarity about what's expected of them

#4: Be clear about expectations

#5: 'Do you have a minute?”

Let's face it – these requests shouldn't be taken literally … unless the person asking is a master at the 'Just a Minute' radio programme!

Firstly, decide whether you can spare the time to find out more. If you can't, be pleasant and assertive and ask if they can come back later.

Secondly, ask them to give you a brief summary of what they need to speak to you about. Then you'll be in a better position to say whether you've got 1, 5 or 10 minutes to spare!

There's a reason why they say – if you want something done, ask a busy person.

When we have time on our hands our pace of work slows, and the opposite is often the case when we have several things to do – so you are generally at your most productive when you have several things on the go at once … just make sure this doesn't turn into overwhelm.

Know where your tipping point is for this!

#6: Multi-tasking works wonders!

OK – not a real one, especially if it's one of these!

In his book, 'Eat That Frog', Brian Tracy reminds us of the saying that if the 1st thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you can go through the rest of the day knowing nothing else you face will be as unpleasant or difficult.

So what 'frogs' are you facing at the moment?

If you keep putting off the larger tasks, try breaking them into bite-sized pieces, and tackle one piece each day.

More on this in a blog:http://squaretwocoaching.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/eat-that-frog-and-reduce-procrastination/

#7: Eat a frog for breakfast